I appologize for the crazy long wait for an update on this story. I lost my interest, and it seemed like my readers had too. But, when I added that extra paragraph at the end of my previous chapter I saw that it had 77 hits. That made me want to create another chapter for you reading pleasure. So, here it is!
William wiped the sweat from him brow and he drudged back into the palace. He had spent the entire day cleaning the horses and their pens, feeding, and exercising them. It seemed like it had been weeks, maybe even months since those poor beasts had any kind of human interaction. I wonder who took care of them before me? I don't see any stable hands, or maids, or servants of any kind. Who does the work around here? I hope her highness isn't expecting me to do everything.
He wondered about his new home, try to find someone. Anyone. But there wasn't a single soul. What a lonely life this must be. Well, he thought with a snort the beast deserves it. He continued to wonder until he found his way back to the main dining hall. He sauntered to the table, and before him lay a small supper of squab and potage. He quickly scarfed the food down, barely taking the time to sit, and swabbed up the excess gravy with a couple of rolls. After the meal he stood and walked back to his room, hoping to find some sort of entertainment there.
Guiliaine watched him. It was something she was good at. Watching. Waiting. She had mastered this skill after these many hundred years. She watched as he left the room, and she watched as the food faded from the plated. He smirked as the plates stood on their ends and rolled toward the kitchen. Sometimes the castle did funny things that even she didn't expect. She had seen the brooms sweep the floor, the candelabras light themselves, and she had even seen the rugs shake themselves out.
Even though the castle seemed alive, she had no companion. The china was just that, plates and cups and cutlery. Not ears to listen, no voice to hear. It truly was a lonely life. She was used to it though. I did pain her, though, to see the interaction that William had with his father. There was a hint of something inside of her that made her with that she hadn't have sent the old man away.
She shook the thought away, knowing that thoughts like these would only give her grief. Guiliaine made her way to his room. She stood outside his newly repaired door and hesitated there. She wrestled with herself, debating as to whether or not she should knock and apologize for her horrid behavior. She usually didn't act as she looked, a monster. She had just become so tired of people coming into her home and taking advantage of her hospitality. Those threats that she had made were all hollow. Her damn temper, it would be her end.
Guiliaine turned her ear closer to the door and heard something that she did not expect.
"And Lord, please keep my father safe, where ever he may be. Who knows what that serpent has done with him. Father, why have created such an abomination to scour the earth and torture the innocent? And why, Lord, have you chosen me to endure this trial? What have I done to deserve this sorrow? Bless my soul, Lord, and keep that demon from turning me to unholiness. Amen"
Tears burned in her eyes as the rage boiled up inside of her. Forgotten were her feelings of remorse and guilt, now replaced by a red hot anger that would not be quelled. Guiliaine burst into his chamber and raced toward the kneeling man. She grabbed him by his collar and turned his face to hers. She raised the two of them high from the ground, using her tail as leverage. "So, a serpent am I? A demon am I? Have I not clothed you? Fed you? Given you work to fill your time? You will see, sir, that my generousness can only flow so far. Pray once again to your Lord, though it won't do you much good here. The gods have forgotten this place! And they have forgotten me." Her eyes dropped a little at her last confession. She quickly rallied her wits and met his blue orbs once more. "Well, have you nothing to say for yourself? Speak now and explain your cruel words."
William paused for a moment, taken aback by her sudden entrance. He found his tongue though, and laced it with poison. "I should not have to explain myself to you, madame. All my words have come from my very soul. I would not speck in such a way if I had not been detained here by Satan's mistress. Now, I demand that you set me down and release me at once!"
"Who are you to command me? I am the mistress of this place! You have no power here", she hissed. She threw him to the floor and slithered to the other side of the room.
William slowly picked himself up and faced his adversary. "Forgive me, your eminence," he bowed, mocking her. "I should learn better to hold my tongue. Some have said that my words can be as venomous as a snakes fang." Her reaction was quite the opposite of what he had expected. Her body hunched a little, and her yellow eyes lost their fire. Surely this is a trick. My words could not have had such an effect on this heartless monster.
"You will resume you duties tomorrow at first light. For to night you will rest. You will need it." Guiliaine slowly moved to the exit and hesitated at the door for but a moment. Then, she was gone.
William stared at the empty space where she had been, more then slightly confused by the exchange that had come to pass. He slunked to the bed and sat upon the soft mattress. He placed his head into his hands and let go a frustrated sigh. Running his fingers through his blonde locks he continued to go over the events in his head. The change in her demeanor, the lack of passion in her voice. What had changed inside her. "What a curious place this is." He lay upon the sheets and spent the night in turmoil. Haunted by dreams of a hooded figure, and a damning curse upon a once beautiful country.